Evaluation of Pineal Gland in Patients with Schizophrenia

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24086/cuesj.v9n1y2025.pp29-31

Keywords:

Schizophrenia, brain suite, volumetric changes, pineal gland, magnetic resonance images

Abstract

Recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques have facilitated the identification of numerous structural brain alterations associated with schizophrenia, potentially serving as valuable biomarkers. This study aimed to explore the volumetric changes in the pineal gland correlated with schizophrenia symptoms, employing standard brain segmentation methodologies. The study encompassed 135 participants, comprising 82 controls and 53 patients, all of whom provided voluntary consent. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was conducted using the magnetization prepared rapid acquisition protocol, and the acquired images were processed through BrainSuite software. Statistical analysis was done to determine the significance of volumetric differences in the pineal gland between patients and controls. In addition, it assessed any correlations with demographic variables, such as age and sex. The control group’s mean age was 29.28 ± 6.03, while the patient group was 31.32 ± 6.44. No significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of sex or age distribution, with P = 0.583 and 0.064, respectively. The average pineal gland volume in patients with schizophrenia was 48.82 ± 20.39 cm3, markedly lower than the 64.23 ± 26.51 cm3 observed in controls. The findings indicate that individuals with schizophrenia possess smaller pineal glands compared to the general population. It is concluded that MRI is a viable tool for assessing structural brain changes linked to schizophrenia, and the pineal gland may play a contributory role in the disease’s pathogenesis.

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Author Biographies

Amani A. Elfaki, Department of Anatomy, College of Dentistry, Cihan University, Erbil- Iraq

Amani A. Elfaki  is a Professor of Anatomy at the Department of Anatomy, College of Dentistry, Cihan Universty, Erbil- Iraq. Her research interests are Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy. 

Ahmed M. A. Elhaj, Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Kartoum, Sudan

Ahmed M. A. Elhaj is doctor in the Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Kartoum, Sudan. His research interests are Human Anatomy and Neurosurgery

 

 

Meltem A. Gudek, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Samsun University, Samsun, Turkey

Meltem A. Gudek is a doctor at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Samsun University, Samsun, Turkey. Her research interest is Anatomy.

 

Mert Nahir, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey

Mert Nahir is an  assistant professor in the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Gaziosmanpasa University, Tokat, Turkey. His research interest is Anatomy.

Amira M. Haroun, Psychiatric Hospital (KSAMC), Almadina, Saudi Arabia

Amira M. Haroun is a doctor of medicen at Psychiatric Hospital (KSAMC), Almadina, Saudi Arabia. Her research interst is Psychiatry.

 

 

Bunyamin Sahin, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey

Bunyamin Sahin is a professor at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey. His research interest is anatomy.

 

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Published

2025-02-10

How to Cite

1.
Elfaki AA, Elhaj AMA, Gudek MA, Nahir M, Haroun AM, Sahin B. Evaluation of Pineal Gland in Patients with Schizophrenia. Cihan U Erbil SCI J [Internet]. 2025 Feb. 10 [cited 2026 Jun. 23];9(1):29-31. Available from: https://journals.cihanuniversity.edu.iq/index.php/cuesj/article/view/1343

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Amani A. Elfaki, Ahmed M. A. Elhaj, Meltem A. Gudek, Mert Nahir, Amira M. Haroun, Bunyamin Sahin

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Received 2024-11-27
Accepted 2024-12-26
Published 2025-02-10

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